I like to laugh. I like telling stories of funny real-life situations and laughing with others. I especially like making my wife and children laugh, although the Dad jokes primarily elicit rolled eyes and pained expressions. Sometimes, I make myself…
The starting point for discussing immigrants is Scripture, CBF field personnel say
The Christian response to migrants must be shaped by Scripture, especially in “purple churches” home to both conservative and progressive believers, Greg Smith said during a recent webinar on biblical responses to immigration. “We start from Scripture and not from…
My hybrid church
Let me tell you about my church. My church meets every Friday from noon until around 6:30 p.m. My church has no pews but plenty of folding tables and chairs as well as boxes and bins filled with groceries. My…
Why, in a time like this: The importance of engaging today’s youth in world missions
This summer, a team of nine high school students and four adults from Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., traveled on a mission trip to Važec, Slovakia. Ours was the last missions team hosted in Slovakia by former CBF Field…
Atlanta church welcomes a Ukrainian family and learns about the bond of love
Olena Levchenko and her Christian family barely escaped Russian forces in Ukraine and bounced from nation to nation in Europe before learning a Baptist congregation in Atlanta, was willing to sponsor them as temporary refugees in the United States. Levchenko…
Puerto Rican pastor Laura Ayala to lead CBF Global Missions
A Puerto Rican pastor has been named coordinator of Global Missions for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, signaling a series of firsts. Laura Ayala is the first person of color and the first person from outside the continental United States to…
Sam Harrell leaving CBF Global Missions for Africa Exchange role
The two top leadership roles for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions soon will be vacant, as Sam Harrell leaves his post as associate coordinator July 31. He has been named full-time coordinator of Africa Exchange, which serves vulnerable children in…
CBF pauses giving to Ukraine relief fund to await long-term rebuilding opportunities
More than $1.12 million has been given to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Ukrainian relief fund, prompting CBF leaders to pause accepting additional contributions until investing in long-term recovery becomes viable. CBF field personnel and others working in direct ministry to…
When a Mexican cartel kidnapped a Baptist pastor, they got more than they bargained for
A Mexican cartel got more than it bargained for earlier this month by kidnapping Lorenzo Ortiz, an American pastor who operates shelters for asylum seekers and other migrants south of the U.S.-Mexico border. His abduction at 6 p.m. June 2…